"I hate that look of yours," Haruka spat, her voice trembling with frustration. "That look of absolute indifference." She turned on her heel and marched away, leaving him in the shade.

  Jun didn't move.

  What’s so bad about being just friends? he wondered. Why does everyone have this pathological need to be 'special' in someone else's eyes?

  "Love, drama, teenage angst... it’s all so goddamn exhausting," he muttered.

  Yuka, Haruka, even that guy Sugisaki—why couldn't any of them just focus on their GPA?

  When the bell rang, Jun stopped by the infirmary before heading back to the classroom. Yuka was lying on one of the cots, her face pale.

  "Feeling any better?"

  "Ms. Misawa says it’s just heat exhaustion..."

  "Then stay put. I’ll clear your absence for the next period." Jun turned to leave, but Yuka’s voice stopped him.

  "Jun... I just realized I never properly said I was sorry."

  Jun looked back over his shoulder.

  "About the bar. I didn't know you were doing it for the private investigator. I had no right to be angry with you in my head. I’m so sorry."

  "Tomatsu," Jun said, his voice level. "Don't talk like this is all in the past. I haven't forgotten, and I haven't forgiven you yet."

  "I know," she whispered. She rolled over, facing the wall, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. Jun pulled the thin blanket up over her and walked out.

  Once the door clicked shut, Yuka pressed her hand over her mouth to muffle the sound of her crying. But as the tears slowed, her expression shifted. The sadness was replaced by a cold, sharp focus.

  He hasn't forgiven me yet, she thought, pulling the blanket over her head. A simple apology won't work. I need to change my strategy. I need to be indispensable.

  On his way back to class, Ko Tsushima intercepted him and pulled him into the Journalism Club room. Natsumi Imukawa was already there, sitting at the long table, her face flushing the moment she saw Jun.

  "The summer filming schedule is set," Ko announced. "You two are a team. Imukawa is the cinematographer; Matsue, you’re the host and interviewer."

  "We’ll have a kick-off dinner after finals to go over the details."

  "Is the club budget paying for the meal?" Jun asked.

  "Of course."

  "Then I’m in." A free meal is a free meal, Jun thought.

  "I’m looking forward to working with you, Imukawa-san."

  "R-right! Me too!" Natsumi stammered.

  They exchanged contact info. Her profile picture was a tiny, cartoonish penguin.

  Jun finally made it back to his seat. Is the walk back to the classroom always this long? he wondered. He felt like a protagonist in an RPG, constantly being stopped by NPCs and side-quests.

  Ms. Kominato was at the podium, reading out the final exam schedule and safety protocols for the break. Jun rested his chin on his hand, mentally mapping out his summer.

  Find a new high-paying hustle (to replace the bookstore).

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Coordinate the Journalism Club shoot.

  Visit the kids at the orphanage.

  Crush the Earth Science Olympiad.

  In the infirmary, Yuka stared out the window at the blue sky. Summer is the perfect chance to close the distance. I’ve already convinced Ko to put Jun in charge of the Band Club segments. I’ll show him my perfect side. I’ll make him look at me the way he used to.

  In Class 1, Haruka sat with a stony expression, radiating a "Do Not Disturb" aura.

  Matsue Jun... that arrogant brat. How dare he ignore me?

  Everyone else tripped over themselves to get in her good graces, but Jun remained a fortress. In her dreams, he was the one chasing her, the one making sure she was okay. Why was the reality so different? Why was that parasite Yuka the only one getting his attention?

  A dark fire flickered in Haruka’s chest. If Jun hadn't told her to back off, she would have bankrupted Yuka’s mother by now.

  This summer, she thought. Everything depends on this summer. If my aunt’s health fails, I’ll need him. I’ll make him mine. I won't be the one left behind.

  Three students. Three obsessions.

  ________

  "Students, please remember to avoid restricted areas during the break."

  "Stay safe during outdoor activities and near open water."

  "And finally—do not leave your homework until the last week of August!"

  The classroom erupted in cheers, drown out the relentless buzz of the cicadas.

  "Are you excited for the break, Jun?" Yuka asked, her eyes fixed on him with a laser-like focus.

  "I suppose so."

  The first summer of high school. The first summer where he could finally work full-time without a mountain of homework—at least, until he finished his "mercenary" work. But first, he had to see Aya and the kids.

  The final bell of the semester rang at 11:50 AM.

  As Jun left the classroom, he saw Sugisaki waiting for him in the hall, holding a basketball.

  "Not again," Jun sighed. "Haven't you had enough?"

  Sugisaki wasn't wearing his sweatband today. He looked uncharacteristically somber. "Matsue... I’ve been thinking about what you said the other day."

  "I hate to admit it, but you were right." His eyes were dull, the fire of competition extinguished. "Love isn't logical. I didn't fall for Yuka because of her grades or her saxophone skills."

  "What got me was the way she looked at you. That melancholy, devoted look in her eyes whenever you weren't looking... I’d never seen a person feel that much for someone else before. I wanted someone to look at me like that."

  Jun stared at him. Is this guy a masochist? Does he only want what he can't have?

  "So? What do you want from me?" Jun looked toward the gate, where Yuka was waiting for him. He didn't tell Sugisaki that; the guy looked miserable enough.

  "I still want to prove I’m better than you!" Sugisaki snapped, his stubbornness returning. "It’s not just about Yuka anymore. Seeing you... it’s like seeing a mirror of what I want to be. You’re the 'It Guy' of the freshman class. We’re all living in your shadow. I wanted to beat you at the Sports Festival, but you were gone. I need to prove I’m not just a runner-up, or my ego will never let me rest!"

  Leave me out of your ego trip, Jun thought. I’m a guy who bows for a hundred-yen rice ball at a convenience store. I’m not a legend.

  "I saw you play at the gym. I know you’re good. One-on-one. Basketball. Let’s settle this."

  "The seventeen-year-old male ego is a terrifying thing," Jun whispered.

  "What was that?"

  "Nothing. If I play you, will you leave me alone?"

  "Yes. One game. To the death!"

  They went to the court. Sugisaki passed him the ball. Jun took a few dribbles, getting a feel for the leather.

  "What’s the score?"

  "First to thirty wins."

  Jun played a tactical game. He used his "perfect student" acting skills to keep the score close, making it look like they were evenly matched. He eventually "barely" beat Sugisaki, 30-28.

  That should satisfy him, Jun thought, wiping his brow.

  "Matsue! You’re incredible!" Sugisaki’s eyes were glowing. "Man, we could actually be friends!"

  "What is your criteria for friendship?" Jun asked, genuinely confused.

  "You play clean. No elbows, no cheap shots, perfect footwork. A guy with a game that 'pure' can't be a bad person." Sugisaki grinned. The logic of a jock was remarkably simple.

  "Sure. Whatever. See ya." Jun turned to leave.

  "See you next time! I’m going to train twice as hard for the rematch!"

  Jun stopped. "Next time?"

  "Yeah! We’re close! If I work on my jump shot, I can take you!" Sugisaki was beaming.

  Jun sighed. He dropped his bag and walked back to the hoop.

  "Scoreboard reset. Let’s go again."

  This time, Jun didn't hold back. His three-pointers were surgical. His mid-range fadeaways were unblockable. He crushed Sugisaki 30-5 in under ten minutes.

  "How..." Sugisaki gasped, hunched over and panting.

  "See ya," Jun said.

  "It... it was a fluke! I’ll reach your level in a year! No, six months!" Sugisaki shouted at his back.

  Jun stopped. He took a long, weary breath. "One more."

  Jun moved like a blur. Sugisaki didn't even have time to react before Jun was past him. But Jun didn't just drive to the hoop. He gathered his steps and launched himself into the air.

  He’s going to dunk? Sugisaki realized. He jumped by instinct, trying to meet him at the rim.

  It was useless. Jun caught the ball with one hand, his body arching in mid-air like a drawn bow. He swung his arm in a powerful arc, a full-moon slam that made the entire backboard shiver and groan.

  BOOM.

  The ball hit the floor and bounced away into the empty gym. Jun hung from the rim for a second, looking down at the stunned Sugisaki.

  "When you can do that, come find me."

  Jun finally walked away for real. Sugisaki stood under the hoop in total silence, a man who had just seen the gap between talent and divinity.

  "Jun! You looked like you were flying!" Yuka was waiting at the sideline, her eyes wide with awe.

  Sugisaki watched them walk away together, feeling like a stray dog on the side of the road. We’re definitely not going to be friends, Matsue.

  "Maki-senpai asked me to talk to you about the filming schedule," Yuka said, her eyes drifting to Jun’s right hand. Was it this hand that just shook the world?

  She felt a rush of heat travel up her spine. She began fanning herself with her hand.

  "I don't have the details yet," Jun said. "The Journalism Club is having their kick-off dinner in a bit. I know Imukawa-san is the camera op and I’m the host."

  "Natsumi Imukawa? That’s a girl’s name, isn't it?" Yuka blinked innocently.

  "And?"

  "Oh, nothing. I just wonder if a girl has the stamina to lug a heavy camera around all summer."

  In her head, Yuka was already calculating how to get Natsumi removed from the project. She didn't want any other girls spending "quality time" with Jun.

  "Aren't you supposed to be at your class party?" Jun asked. After the exams, Class 2 had organized a big dinner and karaoke session. Jun had used the Journalism Club as an excuse to bail.

  "I am," Yuka said with a smile. "Actually, I think we’re heading to the same place."

  Tokyo Umeya wasn't a plum shop. It was a trendy, "industrial-chic" restaurant run by a Haneoka alum who had graduated from Tokyo University. It was a local favorite for its "college-town" prices and high-end flavors.

  Behind the restaurant was a massive karaoke complex, connected by a shared hallway.

  Jun and Yuka walked together until they pushed open the heavy wooden doors of Tokyo Umeya.

  "Matsue! Over here!" Ko Tsushima waved from a corner booth. Natsumi was sitting beside him, her head down, accompanied by her best friend, Yumi.

  "Yuka! We saved you a spot!" Miya called out from the other side of the room. The Class 2 group was taking up three large tables in the center.

  The two worlds had collided.